Commonwealth of Australia Offshore Minerals Act 1994
On 1 March 1994 the Offshore Minerals Act 1994 together with seven associated Acts covering the payment of royalties, annual fees and user charges for licences came into effect.
This new Act replaces the former Minerals (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 which had been in force since 1 February 1990.
The new Act provides the legal framework for the exploration and recovery of minerals, other than petroleum, on Australia's continental shelf. The extent of the continental shelf in respect to Western Australia (to be known as the "adjacent area") is illustrated in Diagram 1 on page 4 of this pamphlet.
